Japanese sculptor Ayako Kita creates deeply emotional artworks by combining hand-carved Japanese cypress wood with crystal-clear acrylic resin, producing tender yet unsettling figures that capture the complexity of human consciousness. Her current exhibition "The End of the Day Begins" at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo showcases a collection of introspective sculptures that transform ordinary moments into profound emotional experiences.

The exhibition centers on the transitional moments of returning home, where seemingly mundane activities like turning on a light switch or drawing back curtains become charged with deeper meaning and frozen in time. Kita's sculptural work emphasizes an introspective world where the consciousness, emotions, and anxieties of young women and girls manifest through uncanny and sometimes disturbing scenarios.

The titles of Kita's pieces provide crucial insights into their meaning and symbolism. In her work "me + me" from 2020, measuring 30 x 22.5 x 15 centimeters, an additional pair of legs is physically tethered to the main character's limbs, suggesting that a parallel, half-formed version of herself is perpetually present. Another piece, "Premonition" (2022), sized at 29 x 17 x 11 centimeters, depicts a figure with a slightly apprehensive facial expression accompanied by a gust of wind, indicating that change is imminent.

In her most recent sculptural works, the figures display a range of complex emotions including curiosity, deep thoughtfulness, and subtle concern. These characters gaze directly at viewers with an intensity that suggests they are seeing observers unexpectedly across a room or through a window. "When I began to think about creating a world in which all the pieces would connect as one continuous story, this series naturally came to mind," Kita explained in an artist statement about her creative process.

"The End of the Day Begins" represents a comprehensive survey spanning five years of the artist's creative output and development. Her newest sculptural pieces integrate human figures with furniture and architectural elements, revisiting a thematic approach she first explored during her student years. Rather than viewing this as simply returning to her artistic origins, Kita describes the production process as "a time to reaffirm that these scenes still exist vividly within me."

The exhibition features several notable works beyond the previously mentioned pieces. "My boundaries" from 2021 measures 16.5 x 30 x 12 centimeters and exemplifies Kita's signature combination of Japanese cypress and acrylic resin. More recent works include "Night Falls" (2025) at 55 x 21.5 x 18.5 centimeters, "Let go of everything" (2024) sized 33.5 x 20.5 x 14 centimeters, and "Causality" (2021) measuring 30 x 30 x 15 centimeters. Additional pieces in the show include "Shut Down" (2025) at 51 x 30 x 21 centimeters and "Today Ends Here" (2025) measuring 47 x 32 x 26.5 centimeters.

"The End of the Day Begins" continues through November 29 at FUMA Contemporary Tokyo. Art enthusiasts interested in following Kita's ongoing work can find updates on her Instagram account. The exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to experience how contemporary Japanese sculpture can transform everyday emotional experiences into compelling artistic narratives through traditional woodworking techniques combined with modern materials.